“The world is undoubtedly facing uncertain times. But let us remember that UNEP and its Member States have, since 1972, carved out a long history of environmental action that saves lives and strengthens economies. I have no doubt that, together, we will weather this moment and emerge even stronger” – Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In early February each year, a tiny village around 100 km south-east of Madrid plays host to one of Europe’s most spectacular natural events. Thousands of cranes and other birds migrating from northern Europe to Africa stop over at the 1 000 ha El Hito Lagoon, a Natura 2000 and Ramsar protected site.
Climate change is reducing the flows of rivers into the Mediterranean. This could in turn devastate marine life and inflict significant losses in the fishery sector, a new study led by the EU Joint Research Centre shows.
The newly-published EU Coastline Macro Litter Trend report found that the amount of marine macro litter (items bigger than 2.5 cm) in the EU coastline has dropped by 29 % between the baseline period (2015-2016) and the assessment period (2020-2021).
The European Commission has published its latest reports on the state of water in the European Union. Covering the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the Floods Directive, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the reports highlight the progress made to improve the state of EU water bodies – and identify key areas where further efforts are needed.
Europe’s maritime sector is making progress towards greater sustainability but will need to increase its efforts over the coming years to meet EU climate and environment goals aimed at reducing energy use, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions as well as better protecting biodiversity.
Interested parties will have until February 17, 2025 to provide input. The feedback gathered will be used to shape the European Ocean Pact, which the Commission intends to present in time for the third UN Ocean Conference in June 2025.
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), as part of Horizon Europe, Europe’s largest research programme, has launched a new call: the creation of its tenth Knowledge and Innovation Community (KICs): EIT Water.
The EU Commission has launched a call for European cities committed to sustainability. They can apply for the 2027 edition of the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards until 15 April 2025.
“Water is probably the most precious and at the same time the most undervalued natural resource we have. I think the time has come to firmly put water on the political agenda” – EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall.
The EU is taking an important step towards achieving its ‘Zero Pollution’ ambition, with the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive due to enter into force on 1 January 2025.
EU countries have updated their goals for the deployment of offshore renewable energy up to 2050 in each of the EU’s 5 sea basins, with intermediate objectives to be achieved by 2030 and 2040. At an online meeting of the Directors-General of the Ministries of Energy in the respective countries today, non-binding agreements were reached on the updated level of ambition.
The European Commission has greenlit a Cohesion Policy-funded project to upgrade sewerage infrastructure in Zadar and Petrčane aiming at protecting the region’s water and environmental quality while aligning it with EU water and wastewater directives.
Member states’ EU ambassadors today agreed on the Council’s negotiating position on a proposal to improve the EU tools that can be used against non-EU countries allowing non-sustainable fishing practices in relation to fish stocks of common interest.
EU fisheries ministers have reached a political agreement on fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean and the Black Seas for 2025.
The EU Council reached a political agreement on fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean and the Black Seas for 2025. The ministers also discussed the progress made during the Hungarian presidency on several files, i.e. the proposals on plant reproductive material, forest reproductive material, and the protection of animals during transport.
During the first day, the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council unanimously endorsed conclusions on a farmer-focused post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy. Ministers also exchanged views on the future opportunities for the bioeconomy and took note of the progress made on the proposal for a forest monitoring framework.
The agreement secures the fishing rights of EU fishers in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 2025. Its timely conclusion will ensure stability and certainty for EU fishers and the industry.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and eight Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) committed to enhancing water security globally through a joint statement delivered at the One Water Summit in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
Europe’s water is under pressure from pollution, over-use, habitat degradation, and increasing impacts of climate change. Explore why improving the resilience and health of Europe’s lakes, rivers and groundwaters is an urgent priority.
Talks began in Busan, South Korea, on Monday aiming to clinch a legally binding deal on plastics pollution, led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Follow the intergovernmental negotiations to develop a legally binding global instrument that covers land and the marine environment.
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